Waymo, Alphabet’s self-driving car company, is taking another big step in its U.S. expansion. Starting this week, Waymo is rolling out its Zeekr-made vans and Jaguar I-Pace SUVs in Denver and Seattle, marking two new cities for its autonomous vehicle operations.
At the start, the vehicles will be manually driven as Waymo collects data and adapts to local conditions. Once testing is complete, the company plans to introduce robotaxi services in Denver by next year, with Seattle set to follow “as soon as permitted.”
Testing in Extreme Weather Conditions
Denver and Seattle offer unique environments for Waymo to push its technology further. Unlike Phoenix, where Waymo already has a strong presence, these cities bring challenges like snow, heavy rain, and strong winds. By operating in such climates, Waymo can test and refine its autonomous driving systems for real-world resilience.
Expanding a Growing Robotaxi Fleet
Waymo already has over 2,000 robotaxis deployed across the U.S. Its largest markets include:
- San Francisco Bay Area – 800 vehicles
- Los Angeles – 500 vehicles
- Phoenix – 400 vehicles
- Austin – 100 vehicles
- Atlanta – Dozens of vehicles
Beyond this, Waymo has announced upcoming services in Dallas, Miami, and Washington, D.C. in 2025 and recently secured approval to test in New York City.
Future Roadmap for Waymo
Waymo has also been experimenting with short-term deployments in cities like Philadelphia and plans further expansion into Las Vegas, San Diego, Houston, Orlando, and San Antonio.
With Denver and Seattle onboard, Waymo continues to solidify its position as a leader in the autonomous vehicle industry. Its expansion signals not only a growing market presence but also the importance of testing in diverse environments to make self-driving technology safe and scalable.
